Course content

Subjects covered include: conservation at the population level, conservation science and policy, including challenges in the future, establishing new populations, species interactions and biodiversity, protected areas, restoration ecology, conservation genetics, and conservation and human societies.

Learning outcome

On completion of the course the students should be familiar with protection of biological diversity from society, biological, and ethical aspects. The students should be able to evaluate conservation of biodiversity in light of the topics mentioned in “Course contents”.
Knowledge:
The candidate will obtain knowledge of:
- Important topics in conservation of biodiversity
- Advanced knowledge regarding the influence of important genetic and ecological mechanisms on maintenance of biodiversity

Skills:
The candidate will be skilled in:
- Understanding the importance of biological processes on conservation of biodiversity
- Contribute with skills in management of biodiversity and biological resources, like approaches for reintroduction of species and maintenance of genetic variation
- Critically evaluate scientific results

General competence:
The candidate will obtain competence on:
- Advanced knowledge of biodiversity and conservation biology that is highly valuable both for scientific and management purposes

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, journal clubs and semester assignment (written project). The semester assignment is mandatory and must be passed to attend the exam. Written exam counts 70% of the grade, and the semester assignment counts 30%. In the journal clubs, students should read and prepare a presentation of selected scientific papers, followed by a discussion regarding scientific content and methodology used.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved term paper

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of biodiversity and conservation biology as offered in the course BI2043 (Biodiversity and conservation biology I) is anticipated, but not mandatory.

Credit reductions